Joshua 3:2-12

2 After three days the officers went through the camp

3 and gave orders to the people: "When you see the priests and Levites carrying the Ark of the Agreement with the Lord your God, leave where you are and follow it.

4 That way you will know which way to go since you have never been here before. But do not follow too closely. Stay about a thousand yards behind the Ark."

5 Then Joshua told the people, "Make yourselves holy, because tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."

6 Joshua said to the priests, "Take the Ark of the Agreement and go ahead of the people." So the priests lifted the Ark and carried it ahead of the people.

7 Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to make you great in the opinion of all the Israelites so the people will know I am with you just as I was with Moses.

8 Tell the priests who carry the Ark of the Agreement to go to the edge of the Jordan River and stand in the water."

9 Then Joshua said to the Israelites, "Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.

10 Here is proof that the living God is with you and that he will force out the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites.

11 The Ark of the Agreement with the Lord of the whole world will go ahead of you into the Jordan River.

12 Now choose twelve men from among you, one from each of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Joshua 3:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 3

Joshua removed from Shittim to Jordan, where he stayed three days, Jos 3:1,2; the people are directed to move when they saw the ark bore by the priests, and what distance they should keep from it, Jos 3:3,4; are bid to sanctify themselves against the morrow, when wonders would be wrought, Jos 3:5; and the priests are ordered to take up the ark, Jos 3:6; Joshua is encouraged by the Lord, and instructed to command the priests when they come to Jordan to stand still in it, Jos 3:7,8; and he declares to all the people, as a token that God would drive the Canaanites from before them, that as soon as the feet of the priests bearing the ark should rest in the waters of Jordan, they should be parted, and make way for them to pass through, Jos 3:9-13; which accordingly came to pass, so that all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, Jos 3:14-17.